Author:
Skift & Amazon Ads
Skift + Amazon ads _ identity reshaping travel.webpSkift + Amazon ads _ identity reshaping travel.webp
Language:
English

How Identity & Influence and Discovery Are Reshaping Leisure Travel

January 2026
Marketing

Leisure travel planning in 2025 appears less like a traditional sales funnel and more like a web of channels and pathways. In the modern path to purchase, travelers shop, stream, and scroll simultaneously. They save and compare interesting destinations and energising activities, and later convert. For travel brands, making an impact means showing up in those early moments and carrying context through to checkout across streaming, social, retail, online travel agencies (OTAs), and brand sites.

81% of travellers said their budgets will be the same or higher in the next 12 months: Understand why travellers may be watching every dollar but budgeting for travel as a necessary expense.

Nearly two-thirds of consumers traveled for “relaxation or wellness” in the past year: See how “mindful” travel includes more places and unique spaces alongside traditionally popular cities and attractions.

In this evolving booking environment, travel marketers face both tactical challenges and strategic opportunities. Marketing effectiveness now depends on aligning inspiration, relevance, and conversion across multiple platforms.

The average customer journey now spans multiple channels and timelines: Explore new sources of traveller inspiration and influence that complement and enhance existing ones.

This joint study from Skift and Amazon Ads reveals key indicators signalling a significant mindset shift among U.S. travellers. It examines in depth how travel marketers and advertisers can capitalise on opportunities in the evolving marketplace.

Five key strategies for the modern travel marketer to meet these moments across various channels: Learn how brands can inspire, influence, and convert potential customers in this environment.

Contents:

  1. Executive Summary
  2. A Message from Amazon Ads
  3. Introduction: The Multi-Identity Modern Traveller
  4. The Rise of Mindful Travellers
  5. Mindful Travel in Practice
  6. Recommendations Supersede and Supplement Simple Search
  7. Key Strategies for Travel Marketers
  8. Embrace the Multi-Identity Traveler
  9. Shift from Transactional to Inspirational
  10. Integrate Discovery and Relevance
  11. Think Like a Recommendation Engine
  12. Support the Story, Don’t Just Show the Price
  13. Putting Theory Into Practice
  14. Survey Methodology

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How Identity & Influence and Discovery Are Reshaping Leisure Travel

January 2026
Marketing

Leisure travel planning in 2025 appears less like a traditional sales funnel and more like a web of channels and pathways. In the modern path to purchase, travelers shop, stream, and scroll simultaneously. They save and compare interesting destinations and energising activities, and later convert. For travel brands, making an impact means showing up in those early moments and carrying context through to checkout across streaming, social, retail, online travel agencies (OTAs), and brand sites.

81% of travellers said their budgets will be the same or higher in the next 12 months: Understand why travellers may be watching every dollar but budgeting for travel as a necessary expense.

Nearly two-thirds of consumers traveled for “relaxation or wellness” in the past year: See how “mindful” travel includes more places and unique spaces alongside traditionally popular cities and attractions.

In this evolving booking environment, travel marketers face both tactical challenges and strategic opportunities. Marketing effectiveness now depends on aligning inspiration, relevance, and conversion across multiple platforms.

The average customer journey now spans multiple channels and timelines: Explore new sources of traveller inspiration and influence that complement and enhance existing ones.

This joint study from Skift and Amazon Ads reveals key indicators signalling a significant mindset shift among U.S. travellers. It examines in depth how travel marketers and advertisers can capitalise on opportunities in the evolving marketplace.

Five key strategies for the modern travel marketer to meet these moments across various channels: Learn how brands can inspire, influence, and convert potential customers in this environment.

Contents:

  1. Executive Summary
  2. A Message from Amazon Ads
  3. Introduction: The Multi-Identity Modern Traveller
  4. The Rise of Mindful Travellers
  5. Mindful Travel in Practice
  6. Recommendations Supersede and Supplement Simple Search
  7. Key Strategies for Travel Marketers
  8. Embrace the Multi-Identity Traveler
  9. Shift from Transactional to Inspirational
  10. Integrate Discovery and Relevance
  11. Think Like a Recommendation Engine
  12. Support the Story, Don’t Just Show the Price
  13. Putting Theory Into Practice
  14. Survey Methodology